National Mining Association

The National Mining Association (NMA) is the national trade organization of the U.S. mining industry which "represents the interests of mining before Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, the judiciary and the media."

It is represented by the public affairs firm Democracy Data & Communications, LLC (DDC).

Ramping up lobbying efforts
In September 2007, The Hill reported that NMA was planning to "dramatically increase its lobbying and advertising budget," in response to high-profile mining disasters, increased rates of black lung disease, and concerns about climate change, among other issues. NMA's overall budget is slated to increase from $15.6 million for 2007 to $19.7 million for 2008.

NMA was also reported to be increasing its outreach to Democrats. Its two political action committees, COALPAC and MINEPAC, "are moving towards a more even split" between the two major parties, after years of giving nearly 90 percent of its PAC money to Republicans, reported The Hill. NMA is also "looking to add a Democratic consultant to its list of outside lobbyists," which includes the Alpine Group, Federal Policy Group, Washington Advocates and the Nickles Group. NAM is also hiring four more in-house lobbyists and "two additional regulatory experts."

"Opposition to new coal plants is mounting because they generate greenhouse gases," observed the Washington Post in January 2008. "In Kansas, where a state agency rejected a permit for two proposed coal plants, opinion polls show that roughly two out of three people opposed the plants. That sentiment, plus soaring construction costs and uncertainty about federal climate change legislation, last year prompted U.S. companies to abandon or postpone plans to build dozens of new coal plants."

But "the coal mining industry is fighting back. It increased the budget of the National Mining Association, the industry's main lobbying group, by 20 percent this year, to $19.7 million" for 2008.

Partnering with Scholastic Books
In May 2011, it was reported that the American Coal Foundation paid Scholastic to help produce and place in grade school classrooms maps and worksheets called the "United States of Energy," with much of the information from the National Mining Association. One widely distributed chart did not mention damage from mining or pollution. The Coal Foundation had been distributing materials on its own, then partnered with Scholastic so that 66,000 fourth grade teachers received materials to build into lesson plans.

In the Appalachian mining communities of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, mining companies sponsor something called CEDAR, Coal Education Development and Resources, which offers teachers booklets and DVDs produced by coal-burning utility AEP and mining giant Peabody Coal. One emphasizes how Kentucky has benefited from coal mine reclamation, with little mention of any negatives of strip mining. And on the issue of coal's carbon dioxide emissions, CEDAR offers teachers a video, titled "The Greening of Planet Earth" that asserts: "As more and more scientists are confirming, our world is deficient in carbon dioxide and a doubling of atmospheric CO2 is very beneficial."

On May 13, 2011, Scholastic, Inc., issued the following statement regarding its partnership with the American Coal Foundation (emphasis added): "This week, Scholastic came under criticism for an 11" x 16" poster map which displays different sources of energy – coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind and natural gas – not so much for the content of the poster but primarily for its sponsorship by the American Coal Foundation. We acknowledge that the mere fact of sponsorship may call into question the authenticity of the information, and therefore conclude that we were not vigilant enough as to the effect of sponsorship in this instance. We have no plans to further distribute this particular program."

Lobbyists
According to U.S. Senate Office of Public Records filings, NAM has spent $18,840,000 on lobbying, from 1998 to 2004. Lobbying firms and individuals lobbying on behalf of NAM during that time include MGN Inc, Owen Frisby, National Environmental Strategies Company, Holland & Hart, KSG, Lee & Smith, the Alpine Group, Horizons West, James Allen Wampler, The Allbaugh Company and Patton Boggs.

As of September 2007, NAM's in-house Washington DC lobbyists were, according to the Lobbyists.info online database: Karen Bennett, Susan B. Carver, David O. Finkenbinder, Bradford V. Frisby, Daniel R. Gerkin, Anne Marie L. Jacob, Craig F. Montesano, Kraig R. Naasz, M. Richardson "Rich" Nolan, Moya Phelleps, Luke Popovich, Harold P. Quinn Jr., Carol Raulston, Stephanie Salvagno, Katie Sweeney, and Bruce Watzman.

Political action committees
In the 2006 election cycle, NAM's "MINEPAC" political action committee gave $223,250 to federal candidates. More than 80% of this money went to Republicans.

In the 2006 election cycle, NAM's "COALPAC" political action committee gave $424,748 to federal candidates. More than 80% of this money went to Republicans.

Members
The NMA lists its current members as including major mining companies, state-based mining associations, and companies that service the mining sector.

SourceWatch resources

 * Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth
 * Americans for Balanced Energy Choices
 * Coal-to-Liquids Coalition
 * Dennis E. Wheeler
 * International Coal Group
 * Jack N. Gerard
 * Kraig R. Naasz
 * Rich Nolan

Articles

 * Jim Snyder, "Facing new threats, mining industry undergoes a facelift," The Hill (Washington DC), September 18, 2007.
 * Jim Snyder, "Naasz out at National Mining Association," The Hill (Washington DC), August 21, 2008.
 * "Industry groups file lawsuit over polar bear rule," Associated Press, August 28, 2008.